Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
A month ago, KPop For Thought contacted me, asking if I would like to answer a question for her online newsletter about K-Pop. And this is the question she sent me: “I always see you bonding with your son through K-pop on Twitter, and it’s such an amazing thing. In times where some people say that being over 18 is too old to like pop music, could you talk a bit about your experience as a K-pop fan and mother?”
There’s very little wrong with the chemistry in the Korean series, “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim.” The attraction between the main characters is so strong that (of course) the off-screen dating rumors have surfaced. Both Park Seo-Joon and Park Min-Young deny they are anything more than friends, but you almost can’t blame netizens for their wishful thinking.
“Every time I go to Capri in Italy, I have the best time,” says composer David Foster. “I just love it there every time. I’ve been at least a dozen times, Of course, you can’t ever really go wrong anywhere in Italy. The people just know how to navigate life and squeeze the best out of every day.”
Rosanna Arquette says she feels grateful when people recognize her for her activism as much as for her acting (“Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Pulp Fiction”). Her latest role is as Mary on the new YouTube Premium series, “Sideswiped.” “While I was shooting this show, which I’m very excited about, I was dealing with all of the Harvey Weinstein stuff,” says Arquette, who was one of the first women to publicly talk about how the film producer threatened to sink her career after she says she refused his demands for sex. “Shooting the series was such a good distraction during that time. And with all the things going on (in politics now), I hope that people will watch the show and laugh.”
Musician Russell Dickerson says one of the perks of touring is getting to explore. “I’ve learned so much about history on my travels, even to smaller towns around America,” says the Nashville resident. “Whenever we pull into a new city, we usually look up a little history on that place. It’s cool to learn why this town came to be, like was it coal or oil or a certain good that made this city what it is today? I’ve definitely been getting some history lessons.” Dickerson, who is part of the Summer Plays On Tour with Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker — is promoting his album “Yours” and his single, “Blue Tacoma.”
“The K2” is billed as an action thriller, but it’s really a story about people who are so thoroughly broken that their sense of morality and justice is skewed to an absurd level.
One of music’s most prominent DJs, Tiesto has earned his nickname as the Godfather of EDM. The Dutch DJ, born Tijs Michiel Verwest, was performing in European stadiums long before it became cool to stan hipsters such as Calvin Harris and Martin Garrix. Of his many concerts, Tiesto, says performing at the 2004 Olympics in Athens was a highlight. “It was such an unreal experience playing in front of the entire world. It was especially big for me when you consider that dance music wasn’t as big as it is nowadays.”
Rapper I.M is used to traveling around the world with his group Monsta X and says he’s excited about returning to the United States, where he spent part of his childhood. “I’m sad we won’t get to play in Boston,” says I.M, 22, who was born Chang-kyun Im. “But I’m happy we will get to see so many of our American fans.”
Tiffany Young was 15 when she left her native California for Seoul, South Korea, where she hoped to become a music star. Within two years, the teenager made her debut with Girls’ Generation, which would become one of the most successful K-Pop groups ever. She’s back in the U.S. and has a new solo single, “Over My Skin.” My latest interview for Rolling Stone.
“The first trip I can remember taking was to Carolina Beach,” says “Claws” star, Jenn Lyon. “My Me-Maw had a little three-room beach shack and we crammed six adults and five kids into it. We played on the beach, washed off with the garden hose and my Me-Maw took me secretly with her to play Bingo in smoky parlors. I loved all of it.”
If you could re-live a part of your life, knowing that the time you had with your loved ones would be fleeting, would you risk it? The Korean feature film “Be With You” (지금 만나러 갑니다) offers this intriguing concept. It wasn’t perfect, but it made my heart hurt … and happy.
The W hotels are always stylish and this one in Seattle is no exception. The design is sleek and not fussy. The rooms are nicely sized, clean and well laid out. I usually don’t care for the bath products at most hotels, but the Bliss foaming face wash and shampoo are fantastic!
“Five Fingers” is what I categorize as a “Melrose Place” series, where an evil character treats people like garbage, but viewers are expected to root for them, because they occasionally show signs of humanity. No. Just no!
As CIA analyst Joe Turner in the new AT&T AUDIENCE Network series, “Condor,” Max Irons plays the role made famous by Robert Redford in “Three Days of the Condor.” The actor says that filming in Toronto reminds him a bit of home. “I used to live in New York and I live in London now and you can see elements of both cities in Toronto,” says Irons, who’s the son of actor Jeremy Irons. “It’s a wonderful place to film, because you’ve got skyscrapers and smaller neighborhoods that have a Brooklyn feel. You’ve also got beautiful nature surrounding you.”
“Traveling has been a really big part of my upbringing and I’ve been fortunate enough to travel for different reasons,” says singer Eric Nam, 29. “I’d like to think that it has had an impact on my character and personality, which ultimately affects my music.” Born and raised in Georgia, Nam currently is on tour promoting his Billboard World Top 10 EP, “Honestly.” His song, “Float,” also is featured in the film, “Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.”
The star of Doug Liman’s highly anticipated new YouTube Red series, “Impulse,” Maddie Hasson says that when she thinks of travel, she thinks of her husband, Julian Brink. “He is very related to travel for me,” says Hasson, 23. “I do all of my traveling with him, including a lot of firsts. South Africa was the first really different and exciting place I went to and I went with him.”
In modern South Korea, pop stars and politics don’t often mix. While some hip-hop acts (such as Epik High) address controversial topics, many idol groups stick to a slick, apolitical formula with a proven record of success. BTS, who just became the first K-pop act ever to top the Billboard 200 album sales chart, have become a record-setting success story in part because of their willingness to buck this convention. My latest essay for Rolling Stone.
Canadian musician Scott Helman says that touring has taught him to be patient and to go with the flow. “I know it’s corny, but whatever happens will happen. Be on time, pack well, stay hydrated. These are things we can control. Everything else is for the world to decide. My most memorable experiences are when things go wrong while traveling. It’s when you find the kind ones and when whatever is wrong becomes resolved, you can count on them to bring your life more meaning and joy knowing they’re in the world.”
A smart, 20-episode series that was well cast, it offered intrigue, action, comedy and a bittersweet love story that ends in such a way that the viewer is left assured that the couple stays together forever. This is also one of the rare Korean dramas I’ve seen where the lead characters aren’t involved in a love triangle (though there is a sub-plot where unrequited love between secondary cast members plays a role).
“The Chi” actress Tiffany Boone recalls a childhood trip she took with her mother: “I was 8 years old and we went to Walt Disney World in Orlando. In preparation for my trip, I would watch a travel video about Disney World every single day. It was my very first time on an airplane and I was slightly nervous, but my excitement gave me courage. We had the time of our lives! To this day, it is still one of my favorite travel memories.”